Press Releases

EMSB BUILDINGS TO BE CLOSED ON DEC. 9 STRIKE DAY

MONTREAL, DECEMBER 7, 2015 – The English Montreal School Board will close all schools and centres on Wednesday, December 9, the fourth day of a common strike affecting teachers, professionals, support staff, daycare personnel, cafeteria workers and caretakers.

EMSB Director General, Ann Marie Matheson, has instructed school and centre administrators to advise parents and students about the cancellation of classes via the outreach phone messaging system, written notices and website advisories. There will also be no daycare or transportation services that day.

Unionized employees voted in favor of six strike days. One occurred on October 29 and two others on November 16 and 17.

“As always, student and staff safety remain our primary concern during these pressure tactics,” said Ms. Matheson. “We apologize for any inconvenience this closure may have on our stakeholders. We hope these negotiations will result in a positive settlement for all concerned and we thank our parents and students for their understanding and support.”

‟Our school board is ready to go as far as necessary to defend the rights of all community members to participate in the governance of our schools,ˮ stressed Mrs. Mancini. ‟The government has unilaterally chosen a ‘solution’ to a ‘problem’ which frankly doesn’t exist. The fact that a democratically-elected institution is attempting to severely restrict another is quite simply unacceptable. We call on Members of the National Assembly to work with us and our Francophone partners to amend this draft legislation, in the context of general consultations at the National Assembly, and focus our efforts on what really matters here – how to improve the conditions of our school systems for our treasured youth.ˮ